Entangled in rope: Humpback whale fights for its life for over 24 hours

By Jan Mies

Scotland (United Kingdom) - Animal rescuers have freed a whale caught in a rope off the coast of Scotland.

A whale that got caught in a rope off the Isle of Skye was freed.
A whale that got caught in a rope off the Isle of Skye was freed.  © Anthony Rigell/British Divers Marine Life Rescue/PA Media/dpa

The humpback whale in distress was reported yesterday morning (local time).

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue organization confirmed the rescue a good 26 hours later, according to the PA news agency. The animal was exhausted and is still being monitored.

A photo released by the rescuers shows the whale in distress next to a white buoy and with a green rope around its body. A fish farm is located in the immediate vicinity.

According to the environmental protection organization WWF, humpback whales are found in all polar to tropical seas. They grow to an average size of up to 13 meters and reach a body weight of around 30 tons.